Cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device

ABSTRACT

A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of the rotating bottle closing device. The means for picking up the caps from the supply trough is a horizontally arranged endless conveying means, a part of which passes below the closing chucks but above the path of the tops of the necks of bottles carried by the mechanism so that the part follows the path of the closing chucks at the same speed, and means, at distances equal to the distances of the closing chucks. The endless conveying means has cap conveying disks mounted thereto in a manner to pick up caps, with their open ends down, from the supply trough.

[ June 28, 1974 CAP SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR A ROTATING BOTTLE CLOSING DEVICE Leonardus Petrus Van Der Meer, Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands [73] Assignee: N.V. Leidsche Apparatenfabriek,

Leiden, Netherlands 221 Filed: Oct. 3, 1972 21 App1.No.:294,567

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 53/308 [51] Int. Cl B651) 7/28, B671) 3/06, B67b 3/062 [58] Field of Search 53/306, 308, 310, 312,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,797,679 3/1931 Clark 53/308 X 2,031,735 2/1936 Risser 53/308 X 2,364,523 12/1944 Gantzer 53/306 X 2,810,248 10/1957 Dimond 53/306 3,009,562 11/1961 Sykokis 198/137 X 3,236,359 2/1966 Stauber 198/131 3,354,782 11/1967 Buchanan et a1. 198/135 X Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fleit, Gipple & Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetennined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of the rotating bottle closing device. The means for picking up the caps from the supply trough is a horizontally arranged endless conveying means, a part of which passes below the closing chucks but above the path of the tops of the necks of bottles carried by the mechanism so that the part follows the path of the closing chucks at the same speed, and means, at distances equal to the distances of the closing chucks. The endless conveying means has cap conveying disks mounted thereto in a manner to pick up caps, with their open ends down, from the supply trough.

16 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JUN 28 1974 SHEET 2 [IF 5 FATENTEDJUHZB x974 SHEET 3 [IF 5 CAP SUPPLY MECHANISM FOR A ROTATING BOTTLE CLOSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known in the art to have a cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of the bottle closing device. In such a device, the cap supply mechanism is formed, e.g., by a separate star wheel, having the disadvantage that the cap, on the star wheel, cannot follow a part of the circular path of the closing chucks, thus resulting in a complicated construction. In addition, the caps are supplied with a relatively large play with the result that they are badly centered with respect to the closing chucks arranged to pick up the caps. It is another disadvantage in prior mechanisms that the caps must be supplied in a vertical position, i.e., with their open ends down, in this construction, so that the supply trough which delivers the caps, and which is generally arranged in a vertical or substantially vertical position, must have its lower end bended to a horizontal position. This results in excessive friction between the caps supplied and the bended part of the supply trough, causing serious problems when high working speeds are attained.

In another known device, the cap supply mechanism is formed by a horizontally movablelever, alternatively moved under the supply trough and under a closing chuck of the bottle closing device. Such a lever construction needs a complicated driving mechanism comprising cam disks and rollers. In addition to the complexity of the mechanism, serious problems again arise when such a device is designed for high working speeds.

The present invention provides a cap supply mechanism of simple construction in which the play caused by known constructions for the bottle closing devices is avoided or is substantially avoided, permitting high working speeds.

The invention also provides a cap supply mechanism in which the caps need not to be supplied in a horizontal position, so that the construction of the supply trough can be simpler, and friction losses caused by bending the supply trough avoided, pennitting high working speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of the rotating bottle closing device. The means for picking up the caps from the supply trough comprises a horizontally arranged endless conveying means, a part of which passes below the closing chucks but above the path of the tops of the necks of bottles to be closed on a dial plate of the bottle closing device in a manner so that said part of the conveying means follows the path of the closing chucks at the same speed, and at distances equal to the distances of the closing chucks. The caps conveying means is provided with cap conveying disks arranged ina manner to pick up caps, with their open ends down, from the supply trough. The invention thus permits the supply of the caps at random places above the conveying means, except in the path of the closing chucks, allowing great constructive freedom. When the conveying means is driven separately, its length may be selected in a random fashion, thus further permitting a great constructive freedom, which may have advantages in the arrangement of a further cap supply mechanism.

It is a further advantage of the invention that the cap supply mechanism may easily be manufactured from standard machine parts.

According to the preferred embodiment of the inven' tion, the conveying means is formed by a chain driven by chain wheels. This construction may easily be synchronized with the bottle closing device. It is appreciated, however, that other constructions may also be applied, such as toothed conveying belts, etc., but the chain also permits a proper adaption to the path of the closing chucks by application of, e.g., a guiding block mounted above the star wheel of the bottle closing device against the outer side of the chain, said guiding block being provided with a guiding edge concentric with the main central axis of the bottle closing device, so that the chain may slide along the guiding edge. In this way, a suitable adaption of the path of the caps to that of the closing chucks is made possible, so that the caps easily and with little play may be taken up from the cap conveying disks by the closing chucks. In order to minimize the friction between the chain and the guiding block, the guiding edge of the block is preferably made from a low friction material having a high abrasive resistance, such as nylon.

The construction of the device according to'the invention may further be improved by the arrangement of a second guiding block at the inner side of the chain, generally opposite to the guiding block outside the chain. In this manner, a symmetrical transmission of forces on the guiding blocks is obtained during the picking up of the caps by the closing chucks via the chain, so that incorrect guidance of the chain and improper picking up of the caps is avoided.

As indicated above, the conveying means may be driven separately, but it is appreciated that it may also be driven by a chain wheel mounted on the shaft of the star wheel of the bottle supply dial plate, so that the construction is simpler.

According to another embodiment of the invention, especially suitable for a bottle closing device for screw caps, the conveying disks are freely rotatable. Generally, the closing chucks are rotating around their own axes during operation, so that the caps, present on the freely rotatable conveying disks, may rotate along almost immediately upon contact with the closing chucks, so that slip between the cap and the closing chuck is minimized and excessive heat formation and abrasion caused by friction are minimized.

According to still another embodiment, the mechanism is adjustable in height, so that the device may be adapted to several bottle heights. In that case, it is advantageous that the spindles to which the closing chucks are mounted, are height adjustable, too.

Other advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. I shows a schematic plan view of the arrangement of bottle dial plates, for a bottle closing device;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the capsupply mechanism according to the invention, applied to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, in which the chain is driven by a chain wheel mounted to the shaft of the supply dial plate;

FIG. 3 shows a side part cross sectional view of the cap supply mechanism, taken along the line AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the cap supply mechanism in which the chain is driven separately; and

FIG. 5 shows a side cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic view shown in FIG. 1 indicates an arrangement of bottle dial plates 1, 2 and 3, arranged in turn along a conveyor belt 4, supplying bottles. The bottles are taken from the conveyor belt 4 by the dial plate I and are guided in the direction indicated by the arrow. Thereafter the bottles are taken up by the dial plate 2. Bottles present on the dial plate 2 are there capped. In the present specification, the dial plate 2 is indicated as the capping dial plate. After the bottles are capped the closed bottles are taken up by removal dial plate 3, which delivers the bottles back to the conveyor belt 4. The conveyor belt 4 conveys the bottles to a next station which may be, for example, a packing or labelling station.

The two embodiments shown in the drawings are each adapted to the arrangement of dial plates shown in FIG. I, but it is appreciated that other arrangements of dial plates may be applied, and that the invention may be applied to those arrangements, too.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an embodiment according to the invention in which the conveying means is driven by a shaft 10 of the supply dial plate I. A chain wheel 11 is mounted to the shaft 10 just above the path of the tops of the bottles to be capped. The chain wheel is adjust- .ably mounted to an additional wheel 12 by means of bolts 14 which are movable in slots 13. Using this construction, the chain wheel 11 is adjustable to a suitable position with respect to the closing chucks. A chain 15 runs about the chain wheel 11 and passes a guiding block 16 adjustably mounted to a larger block 17 fixed to the frame of the device. The block 17 has a circular guiding edge 19 for the outer side of the chain 15. The block 17 additionally serves the purpose of a bearing for the shaft 10 and supports another guiding block 18 horizontally mounted thereto. The guiding block 18 is arranged in a manner such that the chain passing along the guiding edge 19, passes just above the path of the bottles taken over by the star wheel 24 of the capping dial plate 2 from the star wheel 25 of the supply dial plate I.

The guiding blocks 16 and 18 are manufactured from an abrasion resistant material having a low friction resistance with respect to the chain material as for example nylon. I

The upper edge of the chain is provided with conveying disks 21 at regular intervals which are freely horizontally rotatable on pivot tables 22. The distances of the intervals of the conveying disks 21 on the chain are equal to the distances of the intervals of the bottles 23 on the dial plates. The chain is arranged about the chain wheel 11 in a manner such that the conveying disks 21 travelling in the neighborhood of the guiding block 18, must be positioned just above the locations where the bottles are guided by the capping dial plate 2. The profile of the top of the conveying disks is adapted to receive a cap with its open end down. The conveying disks pick up caps from the supply trough and convey them to the area of the guiding block 18. The bottle closing device is arranged in a manner such that the closing chucks shown above disc 21 in FIG. 3 rotating about their own axes move downward near this block and pick up a cap supplied by a conveying disk. Picking up of a cap by a chuck may be achieved by jamming or by means of a vacuum. Thereafter thechucks move upwardly a little and move downward again to push or screw the cap picked up onto a bottle.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment according to the invention in which the chain is driven separately. The schematic arrangement shown in FIG. I may also be observed in FIG. 4 in which line 30 represents the center line of the conveyor belt 4. The dial plates 1, 2 and 3 are shown schematically. The motions of the conveyor belt and the dial plates are the same as in FIG.

In this embodiment, a chain 30 is arranged about chain wheels 31, 32 and 33. Chain wheel 31 is driven counter-clockwise with a speed adapted to move the chain with the same speed as the bottles 23 traveling on the capping dial plate 2. In this construction, a solution is made by means of an additional toothed wheel 34 driven by a toothed wheel mounted to the shaft of the removal dial plate 3. The chain wheels 32 and 33 are arranged in a manner such that the chain moves about the bottles of the capping dial plate 2 therebetween. In this area, the chain is also guided by a guiding block 35 arranged at the outer side of the chain, and a guiding block 36 opposite thereto, at the inner side of the chain. The guiding blocks are each provided with a guiding edge 37 and 38, respectively, shaped concentrically with the shaft of the capping dial plate 2. The shafts of the chain wheels and the guiding blocks are mounted to a bracket 39 fixed to the frame of the device. A stretching wheel 40 for stretching the chain is adjustably mounted to the. bracket 39.

In the same manner as in the previous embodiment, the chain 30' is provided with conveying disks 41 fixed to supporting tables 42. The distance of the conveying disks is equal to the distance of the bottles traveling on the dial plates. The chain is arranged or adjusted in a manner such that, in the area between the chain wheels 32 and 33, the conveying disks travel just below closing chucks of the bottle closing device.

The supply trough for supplying the caps is indicated in the drawings at 44. It may terminate anywhere above the chain 30', except in the area where the closing chucks of the bottle closing device pass. The entire chain construction is covered with a covering plate 43 having an opening near the end of the supply trough.

As previously stated, two embodiments of the invention are described. It should be appreciated, however, that other embodiments are within the scope of the invention, such as those embodiments where the height of the cap supply mechanism is adjustable in order to adapt the height to several bottle heights, causing the necessity of height adjustment of the closing chucks of the bottle closing device, and variation of the location of the cap supply mechanism. It should be appreciated, therefore, that the invention is not restricted to the em bodiment s shown, but that many alterations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of said rotating bottle closing device, said means for picking up the caps from the supply trough comprising a horizontally positioned endless conveying means and a plurality of cap conveying means mounted at spaced intervals thereon, said endless conveying means and said cap conveying means being adapted to pass directly below the closing chucks but above the path of the tops of the necks of bottles carried by said device so that said endless conveying means and said cap conveying means follow the path of the closing chucks at the same speed as the closing chucks and at distances equal to the distance of the closing chucks fora portion of the path of said closing chucks to enable said closing chucks to receive caps carried by said cap conveying means while moving therewith, said cap conveying means arranged and mounted on said endless conveying means to pick up caps from said supply trough with their open ends down.

2. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said endless conveying means is a chain driven by chain wheels.

3. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 2 including a guiding block placed against the outer side of the chain and having a guiding edge concentric with the main axis of the bottle closing device, said guiding edge being adapted to allow said chain to slide therealong.

4. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the guiding block is constructed of a low friction material having a high abrasive resistance.

5. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said material is nylon.

6. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 3 including a second guiding block positioned at the inner side of the chain generally opposite to the guiding block at the outer side of the chain.

7. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said second guide block is constructed of a low friction material having a high abrasive resistance.

8. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said cap supply mechanism includes a supply dial mounted to a shaft and wherein said endless conveying means is driven by said shaft.

9. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 3 wherein said cap supply mechanism is vertically adjustable.

1 l. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 2 wherein cap conveying disks are mounted to said chain.

12. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said cap conveying disks are horizontally rotatably mounted on said chain.

13. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device of the type having bottles transported by a plurality of dial plates, moving closing chucks for capping the bottles, a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetennined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below the closing chucks, said means for picking up the caps from the supply trough comprising a horizontally positioned endless conveyor means, a plurality of cap conveying disks mounted on said conveyor means in spaced relationship, said cap conveying disks being adapted to pick up caps from said supply trough with their open ends down, said endless conveying means following a predetermied path allowing said endless conveying means and said cap conveying disks to pass directly below said closing chucks and above the path of the tops of said transported bottles for a portion of the path of said closing chucks to enable said closing chucks to receive caps carried by said cap conveying disks while moving the rewith so that said endless conveyor means and said cap conveying disks follow the path of the closing chucks at the same speed as the closing chucks with the cap conveying disks being spaceably positioned at distances equal to the spaced distances of the closing chucks.

14. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device according to claim 13 wherein said mechanism includes a frame, a support member secured to said frame, a shaft connected to said support member, a dial plate mounted to said shaft and at least one guide block mounted to said support member.

15. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 14 wherein a chain drive wheel is mounted to said shaft above said dial plate and a chain is engaged with said drive wheel with one of said guiding blocks being provided with a circular guiding edge so that the chain may slide along the guiding edge.

16. A cap supply mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein said closing chucks move in a circular path. 

1. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device provided with a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below closing chucks of said rotating bottle closing device, said means for picking up the caps from the supply trough comprising a horizontally positioned endless conveying means and a plurality of cap conveying means mounted at spaced intervals thereon, said endless conveying means and said cap conveying means being adapted to pass directly below the closing chucks but above the path of the tops of the necks of bottleS carried by said device so that said endless conveying means and said cap conveying means follow the path of the closing chucks at the same speed as the closing chucks and at distances equal to the distance of the closing chucks for a portion of the path of said closing chucks to enable said closing chucks to receive caps carried by said cap conveying means while moving therewith, said cap conveying means arranged and mounted on said endless conveying means to pick up caps from said supply trough with their open ends down.
 2. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said endless conveying means is a chain driven by chain wheels.
 3. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 2 including a guiding block placed against the outer side of the chain and having a guiding edge concentric with the main axis of the bottle closing device, said guiding edge being adapted to allow said chain to slide therealong.
 4. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the guiding block is constructed of a low friction material having a high abrasive resistance.
 5. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said material is nylon.
 6. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 3 including a second guiding block positioned at the inner side of the chain generally opposite to the guiding block at the outer side of the chain.
 7. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said second guide block is constructed of a low friction material having a high abrasive resistance.
 8. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said cap supply mechanism includes a supply dial mounted to a shaft and wherein said endless conveying means is driven by said shaft.
 9. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said endless conveying means is driven by a separate drive means.
 10. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said cap supply mechanism is vertically adjustable.
 11. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 2 wherein cap conveying disks are mounted to said chain.
 12. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said cap conveying disks are horizontally rotatably mounted on said chain.
 13. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device of the type having bottles transported by a plurality of dial plates, moving closing chucks for capping the bottles, a supply trough for supplying caps in a predetermined position and means for picking up the caps one by one from the supply trough and conveying the caps to a position below the closing chucks, said means for picking up the caps from the supply trough comprising a horizontally positioned endless conveyor means, a plurality of cap conveying disks mounted on said conveyor means in spaced relationship, said cap conveying disks being adapted to pick up caps from said supply trough with their open ends down, said endless conveying means following a predetermied path allowing said endless conveying means and said cap conveying disks to pass directly below said closing chucks and above the path of the tops of said transported bottles for a portion of the path of said closing chucks to enable said closing chucks to receive caps carried by said cap conveying disks while moving therewith so that said endless conveyor means and said cap conveying disks follow the path of the closing chucks at the same speed as the closing chucks with the cap conveying disks being spaceably positioned at distances equal to the spaced distances of the closing chucks.
 14. A cap supply mechanism for a rotating bottle closing device according to claim 13 wherein said mechanism includes a frame, a support member secured to said frame, a shaft connected to said support member, a dial plate mounted to said shaft and at least one guide block mounted to said support member.
 15. A cap supply mechanism according to claim 14 wherein a chain drive wheel is mounted to said shaft above said dial plate and a chain is engaged with said drive wheel with one of said guiding bLocks being provided with a circular guiding edge so that the chain may slide along the guiding edge.
 16. A cap supply mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein said closing chucks move in a circular path. 